Staying in? Top TV film choice

The Wrong Man (BBC Two, 2.45pm)

What's it about? Manny Balestrero is a New York nightclub musician whose life is torn apart when he's falsely accused of carrying out a number of armed robberies.

We see Manny being questioned by the police, who refuse to believe that anybody else could be responsible for the crimes, despite his protestations. Meanwhile, his wife has a breakdown and is institutionalised.

Is it any good? Interesting Alfred Hitchcock thriller, one of the few times he based a film on a true story. His trademark cameo comes as the narrator of the film's prologue. Henry Fonda is excellent in the lead role, and is ably supported by Vera Miles and Anthony Quayle.

Anything else? After working with him on four previous films, Hitchcock had wanted John Michael Hayes to write the screenplay. But when he was asked to do it for free in return for a share in the profits, Hayes declined, ending their working relationship forever.

Starring: Henry Fonda, Vera Miles, Anthony Quayle, Harold J Stone, John Heldabrand

Star rating: **** (1956)

Sunday, January 10

Jackie Chan's Who Am I? (Five, 7.25pm)

What's it about? Former commando Jackie Chan suffers from a severe memory loss while on a special mission.

When his helicopter crashes he's rescued by an African tribe, but is suffering from amnesia. The fact that the incident was a set-up to kill him is unappreciated until he begins looking for clues to his identity. Needless to say, as in most of the star's films, it isn't long before he's having to draw on his breathtaking combat and acrobatic skills to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

Is it any good? Who Am I? won't disappoint Chan's army of fans. The spectacular finale sees the hero in a critical roof top fight and a thrilling stunt in which the fearless hero slides down the side of the building - and that bit alone makes it worth tuning in for.

Anything else? In case you were wondering, Jackie himself performs the song playing over the credit sequence.

Starring: Jackie Chan, Michelle Ferre, Mirai Yamamoto, Ed Nelson, Ron Smerczak

Star rating: *** (1998)

Monday, January 11

The Hours (BBC One, times vary)

What's it about? The first of three interweaving stories takes place in 1923 England, where a depressed Virginia Woolf is writing her novel Mrs Dalloway. She's being plagued by headaches and problems surrounding her sexuality. A visit from her sister Vanessa Bell doesn't help either, and she's left swamped in despair.

Next, Julianne Moore plays Laura Brown, a pregnant woman with a devoted husband and young son living in suburban Los Angeles during 1951, who begins to question her sexuality.

Finally, in the present day, Meryl Streep is Clarissa Vaughan, a book publisher living in New York. Despite being in a lesbian relationship, she's been in love with her Aids-stricken poet friend Richard since they were in their teens, and he has nicknamed her Mrs Dalloway.

Is it any good? It's Oscar-winningly brilliant, with acting masterclasses from all of the main players. It may come to be recognised as one of the best films of its era.

Anything else? Unusually, Meryl Streep missed out on a nomination for The Hours, even though the film appeared in nine categories at the 2003 ceremony.

Starring: Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Stephen Dillane, Miranda Richardson, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, John C Reilly

Star rating **** (2002)